BEIJING — China announced on Friday that it would grant the Taliban tariff-free access to Chinese markets in sectors including construction, energy, and consumer goods.
The arrangement was confirmed by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who outlined Beijing’s intent to deepen economic engagement with Afghanistan’s resource-rich but politically marginalized government.
“As one of the least developed countries recognized by the United Nations, Afghanistan also enjoys the above-mentioned preferential policies. We believe that this will be conducive to promoting mutually beneficial and win-win economic and trade cooperation between China and Arab countries,” Lin said.
Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, China has strengthened ties but, like other nations, has stopped short of formally recognizing the group’s government due to concerns over human rights, particularly regarding women and girls.
In an effort to expand its trade relations, Taliban’s acting commerce minister announced last year that the Taliban sought to formally join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, President Xi Jinping’s signature infrastructure and connectivity project.
Taliban have also requested inclusion in the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a project designed to connect China’s Xinjiang region to Pakistan’s port of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea.
China’s move to ease access for Afghan goods reflects its cautious but growing engagement in Afghanistan as the Taliban look to attract international trade and investment.
